We value your privacy. We may collect personal information from you for business, marketing, and commercial purposes.
Read more

We value your privacy. We may collect personal information from you such as identifying information (name, address, driver's license number), transactional information (products or services purchased and payment history), digital network activity (interactions with our website, IP address), geo-location data, audio recordings and other forms of personal information. We use this information for business, marketing and commercial purposes, including but not limited to, providing the products and services you request, processing your claims, protecting against fraud, maintaining security, confirming your identity and offering you other insurance and financial products.

For California residents, click here to view the full version of the California Consumer Privacy Notice.

Wills and trusts: an estate-planning primer

Find out the differences between these common estate planning documents and their functions.

Estate planning can be difficult to think about, but it's something everyone eventually needs to do. While you have probably heard the terms will and trust, do you know what they are and the appropriate uses for each document?

Wills and trusts are both used to plan for what happens to your assets after you are gone, but they serve different purposes.

Definitions

Will. A legal document that states what you want to happen to your assets and who will raise your minor children after you die.

Trust. There are two basic types of trusts: a living trust and a testamentary trust. A living trust is an agreement you make with a trustee — who holds legal title to your property. It is created and goes into effect while you are still alive. A testamentary trust is a trust that goes into effect upon your death and is often embedded in a will.

Similarities

Wills and living trusts have some basic similarities:

Distribute property to beneficiaries. In both a will and a trust, you can provide instructions on how to distribute your property upon your death to the beneficiaries you choose.

Can be revised. If you wish to make changes, wills and revocable trusts both can be revised any time prior to your death as long as you remain mentally sound.

Differences

Will

Requires appointment of an executor. This person will be in charge — under court supervision — of executing your estate after you die, including resolving any claims from creditors, finalizing any legal matters, and distributing your remaining assets to beneficiaries.

Goes into effect only after you die. If you become disabled, physically or mentally, a guardianship may need to be established to manage your estate. Consult a qualified attorney for more information.

Allows the appointment of a guardian for minor children. In most states this is only possible with a will.

May require probate. Probate is a legal process, supervised by the court, where your will is validated, all of your debts are settled, and your remaining assets are distributed to your beneficiaries. The probate process may take several months to complete.

May be simpler to make. A will is generally easier to set up than a trust.

Living trust

Takes effect immediately. As soon as you create and transfer your property into it, a living trust is in effect.

Requires transfer of property. Property is not transferred directly to your beneficiaries, it must first be transferred into the trust you have created. Typically, for personal property, you can do an assignment of your property to the trust. However, assets such as real estate, automobiles and non-tax-qualified financial accounts may need to be retitled into the name of the trust. You should also review your beneficiary designations for life insurance and tax-qualified accounts with your estate planning attorney. If you do not transfer assets into your trust during your lifetime, the assets may still go through probate court.

Avoids probate. If property is properly transferred to the trust during your lifetime, it will generally avoid probate upon death, which can often expedite the administration process.

Requires appointment of a trustee. This person is in charge of the assets held in the trust and distributes them after your death. The position is similar to an executor of a will. To maintain control of your property while you are still alive, you may serve as the initial trustee. You should name a successor trustee to carry out your wishes if you become disabled or upon your death.

Maintains privacy after death. Since a will typically goes through probate, it becomes a public document. A living trust usually does not, and can be used to keep your affairs private.

Estate planning flexibility. Because a living trust does not require ongoing court oversight, a trust is often used in situations where an outright distribution of assets to the beneficiaries may not be desirable. This can be for a number of reasons including: age of beneficiary, poor financial management, unstable marriage or substance abuse or gambling problems.

Wills and trusts are both legal documents that your estate planning attorney will use to help you and your family achieve your estate planning goals. Often, they are used together. For example, a trust may be drafted within a will to provide for minor children. And, a will is often used to make sure that any assets not transferred to a living trust during your lifetime are transferred to your trust upon death.

Wherever you are in the process of planning for your estate, it is best to educate yourself and stay informed. Tax and probate laws vary from state to state. You should always consult with a qualified estate planning attorney in your state.

State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites hyperlinked from this page. State Farm has no discretion to alter, update, or control the content on the hyperlinked, third party site. Access to third party sites is at the user's own risk, is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products which may be referenced on such third party sites.